Speaking to media representatives outside the Parliament House in the federal capital, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that it was the federal government’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the dignity of the Pakistan Army and other intelligence agencies, adding that there should be no ambiguity or fallacy in that respect.

The interior minister said that Jang group would have to retract its steps in the greater national interests of Pakistan, adding that the media trial over senior journalist Hamid Mir’s attack would have to end otherwise anti-state elements would take advantage of the situation.

The minister said he was personally trying to ensure that the situation would not be aggravated from either of the sides.

The minister said the ISPR had strongly condemned the attack on Hamid Mir and also demanded for an independent commission to probe the incident, adding that a media trial would create further confusion.

He said that all forces and segments of society were on the same page over conducting a transparent investigation into the attack on journalist Hamid Mir and to bring his perpetrators to justice.

Chaudhry Nisar said an independent media as well as honourable and dignified armed forces were the needs of Pakistan. He advised both sides to remain patient and to avoid troublemakers.

The interior minister said Hamid Mir’s family should come forward in case of any doubts over the Sindh police’s investigation and the commission set up to probe the attack and that alternate options could be considered.

Chaudhry Nisar said that Hamid Mir had mentioned the capital police in his statement which said that even they had not launched any investigation of the previous attack on him